The Young Democrats debated the College Republicans at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Monday night.

"Our goals were to win the debate and let people know where Obama stands and energize our base," said Raven Moeslinger, a UNC student who debated for the Democrats. "We didn't come out expecting to change a lot of minds."

Although members of both campus groups packed the lecture hall where the debate took place, some students in attendance are still deciding how to cast their vote come November.

"In the past I've been a Republican, but I'm a little undecided," sophomore Mayukh Sircar said. "These guys did their best to fill me in."

Nearly 150 Belmont students filled the pews in the sanctuary of the Belmont Heights Baptist Church to watch the Ole Miss presidential debate, followed by a more intimate debate between the Belmont College Republicans and College Democrats on September 26.

Belmont students had diverse opinions on the first debate between nominees John McCain and Barack Obama.

"I thought that it was well done," Belmont senior Daniell Leipply said. "I liked how Jim Lehrer tried to get the candidates to talk to each other."

Two Egyptian citizens visited SU to learn more about blogging in an effort to improve journalism in Arab countries, reports The Daily Orange. They will spend time in the United States blogging about the presidential election during September and October.

About 150 University of Denver students packed into a campus auditorium last Friday night to watch the first general election debate between the main presidential candidates.

"I'm looking for answers," junior Cody McNutt said. As a finance major, he said he was especially interested in what the candidates had to say about the current economic crisis.

For junior Laura Jobin, spending her Friday night watching a political debate wasn't about a specific issue, but about  becoming informed.

"I feel behind on the issues," she said, "but this is my first election and I want to be able to talk about it with people."

Organizers Dillon Doyle and John McMahon said they wanted the event not only to inform students, but also to unify and engage the campus.

Doyle, a sophomore, said it was a good campus event for a Friday night, and really helped students "get pumped" for the election.

The debate was put on by the non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates and hosted at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. Jim Lehrer, a PBS anchor, moderated it.

The debate broadcasted from a live stream on the CNN Web site to DU.

Students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill encourage their peers to register to vote, push the uninformed to learn more about political issues and wittingly promote their candidates. This is how it's gone so far:

 

Young Democrats, dressed as Sen. John McCain, President George W. Bush and an Exxon lobbyist, tell passing students to vote for McCain because lobbyists and George W. Bush "love" him.  It will be "more of the same."

Angel Collie (left) and Briana Wilkerson invite Emily Lynn Chesson to watch the presidential debate Friday in the Fishbowl, the common TV room in Carmichael Dorm. Collie and Wilkerson are members of Carmichael for Obama. "I wasn't extremely impressed," Collie said about the debate. "It didn't seem like they talked about what they were there to talk about."

Young Democrat McKay Roozen encourages students to register to vote Friday. "I'm doing this because our generation of students may be politically active but may not get out to vote," she said.

The cubes stand painted in the Pit, the heart of Carolina's campus. One reminds students to register and encourages them to use their dorm addresses.

A Young Democrat thanks Kansas for sending the Tar Heel's basketball coach Roy Williams to North Carolina but wants to ship Sen. Elizabeth Dole back to the Sunflower State.

Demographics:

• State population (N.Y.): 19,297,729   
  
• City population (Syracuse): 139,070, small city     
  
• College enrollment: 19,084

Describe the level of political activism or malaise on your campus
Moderately politically active

Politics and Votes:     
Current Senators:

• Hilary Clinton (D)
• Charles Schumer (D)
• Open seats: 0
  

Current Representatives for your school's district(s)

• Rep. James Walsh (R) retiring; Dan Maffei (D) will challenge Dale Sweetland (R)
  
• Open seats: 1
  

Winner of 2004 presidential race

• State: Kerry
• District: Kerry
  

What are the hot races in your state, as defined by CQ Politics?

• House: 25th District-Dan Maffei (D), Dale Sweetland (R); 20th-Rep. Kristen Gillibrand (D), Sany Treadwell (R); 26th-Christopher Lee (R), Alice Kryzan (D); 29th-Rep.  John R. "Randy" Kuhl Jr. (R), Eric Massa (D)

Campus life and student issues:
Are there any political groups on campus?

• College Republicans
• College Democrats
• Students For Barack Obama

What are the big issues people are talking about on campus?
The economy, the war, gas prices, the environment

You probably have a good idea about the political climate and culture on your campus. What are you curious about on other campuses?
I would like to know how the McCain campaign is appealing to college students on different campuses. Are the college political groups focusing more on the presidential campaign or their local congressional races?

Demographics:

• State population (Va.): 7,642, 884
  
• City population (Richmond): 192,913, urban campus      
  
• College enrollment: 31,907

Describe the level of political activism or malaise on your campus
VCU seems to have a liberal view on politics, but remains open-minded to other viewpoints. Students are proud to speak their mind. There often are rallies and marches, and many students work for MoveOn.org, pushing their peers to take initiative and register to vote.

Politics and Votes:     
Current Senators:

• Sen. Jim Webb (D)
  
• Sen. John Warner (R), retiring; James S. Gilmore (R) will challenge Mark Warner (D)
• Open seats: 1
  

Current Representatives for your school's district(s)

• Rep. Robert "Bobby" Scott (D)
  
• Open seats: 0
  

Winner of 2004 presidential race

• State: Bush
• District: Kerry

Campus life and student issues:
Are there any political groups on campus?
College Republicans of VCU, Libertarians at VCU, Student Government Association, VCU Young Democrats. These organizations have been working to get students to register to vote and to actually get the students to the polls.

What are the big issues people are talking about?
The economic crisis, the war on terrorism, abortion, financing college

You probably have a good idea about the political climate and culture on your campus. What are you curious about on other campuses?
Are students across the country concerned with the same issues, or do they differ at each campus?

Demographics:

• State population (Tenn.): 5,962,959      
  
• City population (Nashville): 619,626, urban campus      
  
• College enrollment: 5,023

Describe the level of political activism or malaise on your campus
The level of political activism on Belmont's campus seems to be lower than on most college campuses.  While the campus tends to leans more right than left, the majority of students are not politically active.  This may be because Belmont has a strong music school, and students seem to be more preoccupied with music than anything else.

Politics and Votes:     
Current Senators:

• Sen. Lamar Alexander (R) up for reelection against Bob Tuke (D)
• Sen. Bob Corker (R)
  
• Open seats: 0
  

Current Representatives for your school's district(s)

• Rep. Jim Cooper (D) up for reelection against Gerard Donovan (R)
  
• Open seats: 1

Winner of 2004 presidential race

• State: Bush
• District: Kerry

Campus life and student issues:
What events surrounding the election are taking place on your campus in the upcoming weeks?
The most obvious election-related event happening at Belmont is the town hall presidential debate on October 7. Also, students are required to attend a certain number of "convocation events," many of which have political themes this semester. Topics of recent and upcoming lectures include "Race and Conservative Politics," "Why Government?", "International Politics," and "Becoming an Informed Voter?"  There will also be viewing parties to watch the Belmont debate and the presidential debates at other schools.  And there have also been, and will continue to be, voter registration activities.

Are there any political groups on campus?
There are the Belmont College Republicans and College Democrats, but they are not extremely active.  The last major activity either hosted was a Get Out the Vote campaign in April. There is also a new on-campus publication that is openly conservative called The Right Aisle Review. There are no visible groups on campus affiliated with a specific candidate. 

Who is working on the "get out the vote" campaigns?
Program Board, the Belmont student organization that coordinates events on campus, has sponsored several "get out the vote" events, including a Rock the Vote concert and the Project Vote Smart Bus tour stopping on campus.  The Political Science department is also hosting lectures on voting.

Are there any other groups on campus getting involved in the election?
There are no other explicitly political groups on campus, although there are a few that are affiliated with some political issues.  Our Natural Environment (ONE) is a Belmont club that attempts to bring attention to environmental issues, and Students for the Advancement of Gender Equality (SAGE) attempts to bring attention to gender discrimination issues.

What are the big issues people are talking about?
The biggest issues Belmont students are talking about are the economic crisis and the effect that could have on student loans, etc. Because gas is so limited and expensive in Nashville, students are also talking about developing new forms of energy.  A lot of students are also talking about the specifics of the candidates, including details of their most recent interviews.

You probably have a good idea about the political climate and culture on your campus. What are you curious about on other campuses?
I would be interested in third-party political groups on other college campuses. I would also be interested in the unique, innovative ways that students on other campuses are encouraging students to vote.   

Demographics:

• State population (Colo.): 4,665,177     
  
• City population (Denver): 588,349, urban campus        
  
• College enrollment: 4,907 undergraduate students and 5,806 graduate students

Describe the level of political activism or malaise on your campus
Political activism and apathy ebb and flow at the University of Denver. Current political issues have activated a core group of politically-interested people and have also sparked the attention of other students. Still, there are some in the core of politically active students that believe students aren't interested enough.
 
Students were excited to see Senator Barack Obama on campus last January, as well as Senator John McCain in April. Turnout to politically related events, such as a debates or informational fairs, has also been better in the last year. Still, some groups are disappointed in the lack of political expression from students in terms of voting and demonstrations related to political issues.

Politics and Votes:     
Current Senators:

• Sen. Ken Salazar  (D)
• Sen. Wayne Allard (R)
  
• Open seats: 1

Current Representatives for your school's district(s)

• Rep. Dianna DeGette, (D-CD1) up for reelection against George Lilly (R) and Martin Buchanan (Libertarian)
• Open seats: 0
  

Winner of 2004 presidential race

• State: Bush
• District: Kerry

What are the hot races in your state, as defined by CQ Politics?

• House: 4th district - Rep. Marylin Musgrave (R), Betsy Markey (D)

Campus life and student issues:
What events surrounding the election are taking place on your campus in the upcoming weeks?
There are multiple parties for the national debates; political groups are bringing in speakers for issue forums; there will be a live-TV debate between Udall and Schaffer on campus; there will be marches about early voting and efforts to get students to vote

Are there any political groups on campus?
There are groups affiliated with candidates on both sides of the aisle. Students for Barack Obama has an especially large presence, but Students for John McCain is also making itself known. Both groups table around campus, offering candidate and voter information, and each are hosting or supporting different events related to the election.

Who is working on the "get out the vote" campaigns?
Students for Barack Obama, the College Republicans, the Center for Civic Engagement and Service Learning (non-partisan)

Are there any other groups on campus getting involved in the election?

• The Feminist Majority Foundation is focusing its efforts this election season on a proposed ballot initiative (Amendment 48, Definition of a Person)
• Democracy Matters is a non-partisan group of students promoting the "clean elections" movement to take private money out of elections.

What are the big issues people are talking about?
The economy, the war, and ballot issues related to reproductive rights and taxes

You probably have a good idea about the political climate and culture on your campus. What are you curious about on other campuses?
Many people on my campus say that DU has a very apathetic student population; there are arguments and evidence to support claims for and against this statement. I am curious to know if other campuses feel an apathetic or politically interested vibe and how that plays out in campus culture.

Demographics:

• State population (District of Columbia): 581,530, Private Institution, City campus          
  
• Undergraduate enrollment: 9,700

Describe the level of political activism or malaise on your campus? What exemplifies this take
Located just four blocks from the White House, The George Washington University (GW) is the largest institution of higher education in the nation's capital. Founded in 1821 by an Act of Congress, today GW students, faculty, and distinguished guests make the GW campus an integral part of the city it calls home. In fact, Princeton Review ranked GW #2 on its list of "Most Politically Active Campuses".

Politics and Votes:     
Current Shadow (non-voting) Senators:

• Sen. Michael Brown (D)
• Paul Strauss (D) running for reelection against Nelson F. Rimensnyder (R)
• Open seats: 0
  

Current (non-voting) Representatives for your school's district(s)

• Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) up for reelection, unopposed
• Open seats: 0
  

License Plate Tagline: "Taxation without Representation"

Winner of 2004 presidential race

• John Kerry (Democratic presidential candidates have won over 75% of the vote in Washington, DC general elections since the 23rd Amendment granted the District its 3 electoral votes in 1961, Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
  

Campus life and student issues:
Are there any political groups on campus?
The College Democrats and College Republicans have continually garnered recognition by their respective national party organizations and play a leading role in organizing political programming on campus.

Who is working on the "get out the vote" campaigns?
GW's College Democrats and College Republicans are leading extensive GOTV efforts around the country. While the District of Columbia is not considered in play, Virginia is just over the Potomac and is a battleground state. The Commonwealth receives weekly visits by politically active students.

What are the big issues people are talking about?
You can be sure that whatever is leading the agenda just a few blocks away at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is what's being talked about in class discussions and campus headlines. While the economy and the environment have attracted the most buzz on campus this semester, whatever the "big issue" is, it's likely that either you or one of your classmates had a hand in the action on Capitol Hill or your professor was on NPR or CNN that day adding their two cents to the discourse.

You probably have a good idea about the political climate and culture on your campus. What are you curious about on other campuses?
At GW, even if politics isn't your burning passion, then you're probably in for a rude awakening, most likely at 7:10 am to the sound of Vice President Cheney's motorcade roaring down Virginia Ave NW at the edge of campus. What's it like on campuses where politics isn't the talk (or lifeblood) of the town? How do our fellow political junkies across the country get their fix?

Demographics:

• State population (Ariz.): 3 Million     
• City population (Phoenix): 1.5 million, urban campus      
  
• College enrollment: 66,000
  

Describe the level of political activism or malaise on your campus
I pay attention to the more politically active groups and discussions, but I've heard that as a representation of the wider population, our campus is very inactive politically.

Politics and Votes:     
Current Senators:

• Sen. John McCain (R) not up for reelection
  
• Sen. John Kyl (R) not up for reelection
• Open seats: 0
  

Current Representatives for your school's district(s)

• Rep. Ed Pastor (D) not up for reelection
  
• Open seats: 0
  

Winner of 2004 presidential race

• State: Bush
• District: Kerry

Campus life and student issues:
Are there any political groups on campus?
Mostly this is just the College Republicans and Democrats. There might be an Obama group too, but it's very informal. 

Demographics:

• State population (N.C.): 8,856,505         
• City population (Chapel Hill): 49,919, college town         
• College enrollment: 27,276

Describe the level of political activism or malaise on your campus? What exemplifies this take
Overall, Carolina has a very strong vibe of political activism. Not a day goes by when you don't see someone wearing an Obama or College Republicans T-shirt. Frequently, people of both parties are out registering students to vote in the Pit, the heart of campus.

Politics and Votes:     
Current Senators:

• Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R) up for reelection against Kay Hagan (D)
• Sen. Richard M. Burr (R)
  
• Open seats: 1

Current Representatives for your school's district(s)

• Rep. David E. Price (D) up for reelection against BJ Lawson (R)
• Open seats: 1

Winner of 2004 presidential race

• State: Bush
• District: Kerry

What are the hot races in your state, as defined by CQ Politics?

• House: 8th District - Rep. Robin Hayes (R), Larry Kissell (D)
• Senate: Elizabeth Dole (R), Kay Hagan (D)
• Governor. Bev Perdue (D), Pat McCrory (R)

As based on your observations or the local media?
The gubernatorial race and the race between Kay Hagan and Elizabeth Dole

Campus life and student issues:
Are there any political groups on campus?

• Democracy Matters
• Tar Heels for BJ Lawson
• College Libertarians
• College Republicans
• Students for Pat McCrory
• Students for Ron Paul
• Young Democrats
• Students for a Democratic Society

Who is working on the "get out the vote" campaigns?
Obama campaign volunteers, Young Democrats, College Republicans

What are the big issues people are talking about?
Economy, the environment, the war, gay rights, abortion, health care, gas prices and immigration

You probably have a good idea about the political climate and culture on your campus. What are you curious about on other campuses?
My biggest question is what is McCain doing? Obama has a campaign headquarters very close to campus and has a strong presence. The Young Democrats often do various witty, sometimes satirical, campaigning. Where are the Republicans? Are they campaigning less than the Democrats on other campuses too?

Welcome to CQ Politics' blog for campus coverages of the elections. In the weeks leading up to November 8, this will be the place to see how students are preparing to vote.